10 Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Your Skin

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By Jené Luciani for Shape.com

It's our body's largest organ yet there is still so much we don't know about our skin! From preventing wrinkles to the benefits of facial massage, we went to anti-aging expert Dr. Aaron Tabor to get the scoop on 10 things you don't know about your skin -- but should!

"Your skin reflects your overall health," Dr. Tabor says, "so the best thing to remember is to eat a healthy diet and avoid junk food, do not smoke, exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. It is also important to read the ingredients on all skincare products and avoid any that contain 'Glycols' or 'PEGS,' as they contain harmful chemicals."

Since May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it's the perfect time to start thinking about preventing future damage to your outer later. Read on for more of Dr. Tabor’s tips!

Botanicals, or a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scents, can be very useful in skincare products.
"Botanicals that contain beta-carotene can actually improve skin quality," Dr. Tabor says. "Keep in mind that products that contain botanicals should have a color or hue to them, as botanicals have a natural color. If the product you're using claims to have botanicals in it and it is white in color, you should ditch it. The only way skincare products can be white in color is through chemicals."